LGBTQ + Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

LGBTQ+ Law Section
2026–2027 Council

Officers:

Callie C. Butcher, chair
Karri L. Bertrand, vice-chair
Penny R. Robe, secretary
Philip B. Arnold, treasurer
Samuel M. Hodges, communications director

Council members:

Katherine Marie “Katie” Harrington, at-large position 1 (2026–2027)
Jesse H. Garza, at-large position 2 (2026–2028)
Thomas L. McMillian, at-large position 3 (2026–2027)
Morgan J. Walker, at-large position 4 (2026–2028)
Matias “Matt” E. Garcia, at-large position 5 (2026–2027)

Past chairs serving on the council:

Hon. Charles A. Spain, immediate past chair (2025–2026)
Brian Klosterboer, ex officio past chair (2022–2023)

LGBTQ+ Law Section
2025–2026 Council

Officers:

Hon. Charles A. Spain, chair
Gary N. Schumann, vice-chair
R. Elliott Beck, secretary
Shelly L. Skeen, treasurer
Penny R. Robe, communications director

Council members:

Callie C. Butcher, at-large position 1 (2024–2026)
Hon. Beau A. Miller, at-large position 2 (2024–2026)
Samuel M. Hodges, at-large position 3 (2026)
Karri L. Bertrand, at-large position 4 (2026)
Matias “Matt” E. Garcia, at-large position 5 (2026)

Past chair serving on the council:

Brian Klosterboer, ex officio past chair (2022–2023)

State Bar board advisors:

Forrest L. Huddleston, board advisor
Kristina N. “Krisi” Kastl, alternate board advisor

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Pitman receiving the 2026 Judge Norman W. Black Award from Justice Charles A. Spain (Ret.), the 2025–2026 chair of the LGBTQ+ Law Section.

Judge Pitman is the first out LBGTQ federal judge in the Fifth Circuit.

Houston, we're coming!

Join the LGBTQ+ Law Section at the 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting for two days of CLE, networking receptions each night, connections, celebration, and community.

🏳️‍🌈 Thursday Pride Mixer & Networking Reception
🏛️ Friday LGBTQ+ Law Section CLE & 29th Annual Membership Meeting
🪩 Friday Networking Reception & Afterparty in Montrose
⚖️ Outstanding CLE and programming at the Annual Meeting

RSVP link for Thursday reception: https://memcentral.wufoo.com/forms/s1bnno4e0nrd060/

RSVP link for Friday reception: https://forms.gle/cjctATB6HhZMzK9VA

Whether you're a longtime member or joining us for the first time, we'd love to see you there!

📍 Houston, Texas
📅 June 11–12, 2026

Connect. Celebrate. Collaborate.

As part of last Thursday's annual LGBTQ+ Legal Issues in Changing Times CLE, past Section chair Eduardo Juárez (2010–2011) received the 2025 Judge Norman W. Black Award.

This is the highest award of the LGBTQ+ Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, given in memory of United States District Judge Norman W. Black for signification contributions to le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r, and HIV law.

Among many accomplishments, Juárez served for 20 years as a trial lawyer and supervisor with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in San Antonio and as the 2016 president of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

The Black Award was presented by Justice Charles Spain (Ret.), the 2025–2026 Section chair.

2025 LGBTQ+ Law Section annual meeting in San Antonio

Section Chairs (left to right):
Eduardo Juarez (2010-2011)
Shelly Skeen (2012-2014)
Justice Charles Spain (1999-2000 & 2025-2026)
Karen Langsley (2007-2008)
Hon. Christopher Walter (2009 & 2009-2010)
Elliott Beck (2019-2020)
Fred Sultan (2015-2016)
Judge Jerry Simoneaux (2004-2005)

2005-2006 Council
Justice Charles Spain, chair
Gary Schumann, vice-chair
Elliott Beck, secretary
Shelly Skeen, treasurer
Callie Butcher, at-large position 1
Judge Beau Miller, at-large position 2
Derek Mergele-Rust, immediate past chair (2023-2025)
Brian Klosterboer, past chair (2022-2023)
Michael Debnam, past chair (2020-2022)

Congratulations to Section Past Chair Eduardo Juarez on this tremendous and well-deserved award—the Peacemaker Award. ☮️🎖️